“Mop” di melanzane.

Robert Maklowicz cooked it in his recent episode from Dalmatia, I loved how it looked, I had to try. Anything with aubergines excites me since we live in Italia, I might plant some next year!

I’ve only made one of these, as the rest of the family were looking forward to their ragu.

I peeled one, not very big aubergine, leaving the green top, essential for it to keep the shape. I then cut it from the bottom upwards to make it look like a thick mop and plonked it into the pot of salted, boiling water for about 10 minutes. Left to drain and cool. In the meantime I’ve made a quick and delicious tzatziki; grated some cucumber, crushed a garlic clove and mashed it with some salt, finely chopped some mint from the garden and once the cucumbers let out all the water I removed it and combined all ingredients together, adding a touch more salt and olive oil.

Cooled melanzane were generously dipped in egg.

Then onto the breadcrumbs, which had also some sweet, smoked paprika in it, quite a lot, actually, not intentionally though! 🙂

And then into the hot oil for a few minutes, until crunchy and golden brown.

I found the whole thing absolutely delicious with a glass of red. Can’t wait to share with fellow melanzane lovers.

Sardegna on the plate(s).

Last week we visited Sardegna. We stayed in a lovely hotel right by the sea, ate our way through various restaurants in Cala Gonone, enjoyed a lovely, clean, warm sea.

My favourite spot to eat was discovered on the very first day, which wasn’t difficult, as it was right next to the hotel, ristorante “Il pescatore”. It seemed like a family run joint, with a lady in charge of a young team. My first taste of pane carasau, which they seem to serve everywhere we went, alongside the regular bread. I loved it, brought lots home with us.

Insalata di polpo, so good, sooooo gooood!!!! Fresh, soft octopus, sitting in some wonderful olive oil, lemon juice and some lemon zest too, probably my favourite plate in the whole week.

They also make a beautiful job out of prawn tempura, the dipping sauce could be more exciting, the prawns were flawless.

Florek enjoyed a tuna tartare there, wonderful fresh fish, shy on seasoning. Maybe they figure that the fish so good doesn’t need much?

On our second visit I asked for a catch of the day, grilled, which the guy de-boned for me at the table, lovely treat, excellent grilled veggies on the side.

We’ve also frequented the place called La Dolce Vita, good pizza, including some with Sardinian pecorino and even honey. Izzie enjoyed a fresh pineapple smoothie in a cool glass thing, I don’t think there was anything else to it that pineapple and ice, super good.

We had our last supper there, insalata frutti di mare was excellent, together with a glass of cold, Sardinian vermentino. Their spritz wasn’t sensational, too much ice.

On the way home to Toscana I said to Florek that I’d love a big mug of Lady Grey tea and a scrambled egg on toast, nice and fresh. Nadia and Cristian were looking after our cats when we were away and what did I find on the kitchen worktop on arrival? 8 lovely fresh eggs from their chickens. Some of them made a wonderful breakfast on Monday morning. 🙂

Sardegna 10 out of 10, especially foodwise, but its’s beyond good to be home!